EDF Energy response to speech by Energy Secretary, Amber Rudd

This morning the Energy Secretary set out the direction of UK energy policy. She restated the Government’s strong commitment to climate change targets and the need for nuclear, gas and renewables to be part of an affordable low carbon electricity mix in the UK.

EDF Energy has always said that a mix of different technologies is needed to give the UK the reliable, secure low carbon electricity supply it needs in the future. Affordability for customers is a key priority and is best achieved with reliable baseload nuclear electricity alongside flexible gas supply available to back up intermittent renewable energy sources like wind or solar.

EDF Energy currently operates nuclear, gas, renewables and coal electricity generation and is a leading investor in current and future low carbon generation. Our coal generation plays an important role in delivering secure supply today but we know that unabated coal generation is not part of the UK’s long term energy future.

The Secretary of State spoke about the importance of effective carbon pricing to send the right market signals to move away from carbon intensive electricity generation. We believe that this means a well-functioning EU Emissions Trading System and the certainty of the UK’s carbon price floor.

We support the Government’s intent to control the costs of renewables for customers and to ensure that all technologies meet their full life time costs to the system.

The consultation on reforms to the capacity market offers an opportunity to correct distortions which give an advantage to small-scale diesel generators over efficient and less carbon-intensive gas generation.

Investment

EDF Energy is making big investments in low carbon energies and energy efficiency. We opened the West Burton B gas power station in 2014, providing electricity for around 1.5m UK homes. It is an efficient and high performing station available to flexibly meet demand.

We are also investing to safely extend the life of our existing nuclear power stations and to build the next generation of nuclear stations at Hinkley Point C, Sizewell and Bradwell. We are also investing in wind energy, most recently acquiring the 177MW Dorenell Wind Farm project in Moray.

The Secretary of State also emphasised the importance of competition, innovation and research and development to bring about cost reductions and efficiencies for customers in the future. EDF Energy is determined to apply our global expertise in these areas for the benefit of customers in the UK.

For more information contact:

EDF Energy

EDF Energy is one of the UK’s largest energy companies and the largest producer of low-carbon electricity, producing around one-fifth of the nation's electricity from its nuclear power stations, wind farms, coal and gas power stations and combined heat and power plants. The company supplies gas and electricity to 6 million business and residential customer accounts and is the biggest supplier of electricity by volume in Great Britain.

EDF Energy’s safe and secure operation of its eight existing nuclear power stations at sites across the country makes it the UK’s largest generator of low carbon electricity. EDF Energy is also leading the UK's nuclear renaissance and has published plans to build four new nuclear plants, subject to the right investment framework.

These new plants could generate enough low carbon electricity for about 40% of Britain’s homes. They would make an important contribution to the UK’s future needs for clean, secure and affordable energy. The project is already creating business and job opportunities for British companies and workers.

Through Our Better Energy Ambitions, EDF Energy has developed one of the biggest environmental and social programmes of any British energy company.

In 2014 EDF Energy received seven ‘Big Ticks’ in the Business in the Community (BITC) Responsible Business Awards. In 2013 EDF Energy received the Environmental Leadership for Behavioural Change Award in the national Environment and Energy Awards and was highly commended in the first ever pan European Corporate Social Responsibility Awards scheme for its Sustainable Schools programme – the Pod.

EDF Energy is part of EDF Group, one of Europe’s largest power companies. The company employs around 15,000 people at locations across the UK.